Erin Healani Chung

Erin Healani Chung, a native of Hawaiʻi Island, is an actor and theatre-maker residing in the moku of Hilo, proud to call home Honomū. She believes in the power of rich storytelling to bring communities together and change lives for the better. As a child, Erin climbed trees and read books, inserting herself into worlds where she could slay dragons and solve mysteries. These childhood pastimes took her by the hand and marched her to the theatre, where she fell in love with the art of acting.

In 2011, after receiving her BA in Theatre from the University of Hawai’i - Mānoa, Erin moved to New York City and embedded herself in the cityʻs independent theatre scene, collaborating on new works at The Tank, HERE Arts Center, Pipeline Theatre Company among others. She continued to hone her craft, participating in workshops at The Flea, on-going classes at Off-Broadway theatre Primary Stages and conservatory training at Atlantic Acting School. In 2017, after being selected to appear in the coveted Atlantic Alumni Showcase for industry professionals, she secured talent management and began auditioning for TV and Film, landing co-starring roles on The Sinner (USA Network), Tom Clancyʻs Jack Ryan (Amazon Prime) and Katy Keene (CW).

Since moving home to Hilo in 2020, Erin has re-focused her commitment to her community. In 2023, she will have stage-managed Hilo Education Art Repertory Theaterʻs production of The Prom, performed as Hero in Hilo Community Playersʻ summer Shakespear in the Park production of Much Ado About Nothing, as well as stage-managed the 21st annual Fall Musical at the Hilo Palace Theater - Once On This Island, produced by Mālama Arts Productions. Erin was selected to be a 2023 Vibrant Hawaii Art Fellow and, with support from the One Nation/One Project initiative “Art For EveryBody,” will devise a community-centered production inspired by the theme “No Place Like Home” that will showcase in Hilo in July 2024.